Ga. high court to hear arguments in Hill case

ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia Supreme Court has asked lawyers in the case of death row inmate Warren Lee Hill to address four questions in a dispute over whether a lower court judge should have halted his execution.

At issue in the case is a new state law that classifies certain information about executions, including the source of the drug, as a "confidential state secret." Fulton County Superior Court Judge Gail Tusan in July issued a stay of execution for Warren Lee Hill after his lawyers challenged the law's constitutionality.

Oral arguments in the case are set for Monday.

Hill's lawyers say the process surrounding executions must be transparent. State attorneys say the law is constitutional and necessary to discourage retaliation against those who take part in executions.